Published: 08 March, 2012
PROPERTY NEWS by DAN CARRIER

THE first layer of insulation is being laid in the foundations of a ground-breaking scheme that will see a local authority build a carbon-neutral estate from scratch. Revolutionary green techniques used for Camden Council’s new block at Chester Balmore, on Chester Road, Highgate Newtown, which is being built to Passivhaus standards, is so well designed and insulated that no central heating is needed.

It is the first time in Britain that a social housing project will be able to lay claim to being part of this eco-movement. It will mean new tenants in the 55 homes will face virtually zero quarterly electricity and gas bills.

Architect Paul Mullin, from Camden Town practice Rick Mather, has been involved in the project.

He said: “The plan is to highly insulate the new buildings, essentially wrap them completely up, and it will mean it will need very little energy to heat the space.”

Foundations have now been made and massive slabs of super-thick insulation sheets are being laid on the concrete base. Mr Mullin added: “The challenge with using Passivhaus designs is to make the homes air tight and form a barrier between inside and outside. As it is so highly insulated, it needs very little energy.”

Other green elements include using the former block’s concrete and brick as hardcore for the new building. Wood has been recycled, as has all cabling and other electrical components.

The scheme was first conceived by borough’s former housing chief, Lib Dem councillor Chris Naylor, and has been continued by the current Town Hall administration.

The original block, built by Camden Council in the 1970s, had been intended to last for around 25 years. Residents argued it simply needed a thorough repair and refit rather than to be pulled down. But the council feared it was riddled with asbestos and felt the space could be better used. After demolition, they discovered less asbestos than they originally thought.

The project was not without its critics. The council were accused of rushing through a consultation due to the need to access government funds that were only available during a limited period.

Other fears centred on the design’s size and bulk, worries that the shops provided would quickly be occupied by a multi-national supermarket such Tesco or Sainsbury’s, and that other smaller shops would not be replaced.

The homes should be ready for new tenants to move into by December.